GB2569034A

GB2569034A - Vehicle body

Info

Publication number: GB2569034A
Application number: GB1817727.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Cartwright Mark
Original assignee: S Cartwright & Sons Coachbuilders Ltd
Current assignee: S Cartwright & Sons Coachbuilders Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-01
Filing date: 2018-10-30
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Also published as: GB201718092D0; GB201817727D0

Abstract

A vehicle body 1 has a goods storage space defined by two side walls, a first end 12, a second end 13, a roof 14 and a floor 15, and a lifting assembly located at the second end of the body. The lifting assembly has two substantially adjacent loading platforms 21, 22, each independently liftable from a first position generally level with floor 15 and a second position raised from the first position. A second loading platform 22 is between a first loading platform 21 and first end 12, and both platforms 21, 22 are inside body 1 and occupy a region extending within a distance of 0.3 times the length L of body 1 from second end 13, and preferably within a distance of 0.25L or 0.2L from second end 13. The vehicle typically provides an intermediate deck 17 bisecting the storage space, and first and second platforms 21, 22 may be level with the intermediate deck in the second position. A third platform 23 may also be provided above first platform 21.

Description

Description of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vehicle body, in particular to a body of a vehicle used for the transportation of goods, such as a trailer or semi-trailer of an articulated heavy goods vehicle.

In some embodiments, the vehicle body may form part of a rigid vehicle, i.e. a non-articulated vehicle.

It is known to provide vehicle bodies with multiple decks in order to maximise the volume of goods that the vehicle body is able to transport. Multiple deck vehicle bodies have their associated challenges. In particular, lots of time is invested ensuring that a safe environment for the goods loaders is maintained whilst goods are being loaded into and unloaded from the vehicle bodies.

External lifting platforms (i.e. lifting platforms external of the vehicle body) or forklifts are typically utilised to load I unload the various decks with goods. It is also known to provide the vehicle bodies per se with lifting assemblies for loading goods. However, it has been found that it can be time consuming to load goods using these known means.

Moreover, where external lifting platforms and I or forklifts are required for the majority of the loading, further delays can arise, for instance where an external lifting platform / forklift is not readily available for use.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to increase the speed I efficacy in which a vehicle body can be loaded / unloaded with goods.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a vehicle body having two side walls, a first end, a second end, a roof and a floor which are arranged to enclose a goods storage space, the vehicle body further comprising a lifting assembly located at the second end thereof, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a first platform moveable between a first position generally level with the floor and a second position raised from its first position and a second platform substantially adjacent the first platform, the second platform being moveable between a first position generally level with the floor and a second position raised from its first position, wherein the lifting assembly is configured to move the first and second platforms between their respective first and second positions independently.

The distance between the first end and the second end may have a length L.

The vehicle body may further comprise an intermediate deck which extends generally centrally between the roof and the floor to substantially bisect the goods storage space to form a lowermost storage space and an uppermost storage space.

When in its second position the first platform may be generally level with the intermediate deck.

When in its second position the second platform may be generally level with the intermediate deck.

The second platform may provide an extension of the intermediate deck when in its second position.

When the second platform is in its second position, the first platform may provide a further extension of the intermediate deck when in its second position.

The first platform and I or the second platform may extend across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body from the first side wall to the second side wall.

The second platform may be located between the first platform and the first end.

The first and second platforms may provide a generally continuous surface when in their respective first positions.

The first and second platforms may provide a generally continuous surface when in their respective second positions.

The lifting assembly may comprise a third platform located generally above the first platform.

The third platform may be moveable between a first position generally level with the intermediate deck and a second position generally level with the roof.

When the second platform is in its second position, the third platform may provide a further extension of the intermediate deck when in its first position.

The third platform may extend across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body from the first side wall to the second side wall.

The lifting assembly may be located within the goods storage space.

The first and second platforms may be located within the goods storage space and occupy a region which extends from the second end no further than approximately 0.3L towards the first end. For instance, the first and second platforms may occupy a region which extends from the second end no further than approximately 0.25L (e.g. 0.24L or 0.23L or 0.22L or 0.21 L or 0.2L or 0.19L or 0.18L or 0.17L or 0.16L or 0.15L or 0.14L or 0.13L or 0.12L or 0.11L or 0.1 L) towards the first end.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a vehicle body having two side walls, a first end, a second end, a roof and a floor which are arranged to enclose a goods storage space, the distance between the first end and the second end having a length L, the vehicle body further comprising a lifting assembly located at the second end thereof, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a first platform moveable between a first position generally level with the floor and a second position raised from its first position and a second platform located between the first platform and the first end and substantially adjacent the first platform, the second platform being moveable between a first position generally level with the floor and a second position raised from its first position, wherein the lifting assembly is configured to move the first and second platforms between their respective first and second positions independently, and wherein the first and second platforms are located within the goods storage space and occupy a region which extends from the second end no further than approximately 0.3L towards the first end.

The vehicle body of the second aspect of the invention may comprise any one or more of the ancillary features described in relation to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a vehicle having a vehicle body according to the first aspect of the invention or the second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a method of loading a vehicle body according to the first aspect of the invention or the second aspect of the invention with goods, the method comprising the steps of:

moving the first and I or the second platforms between their respective first and second positions to partially load the or an uppermost storage space of the vehicle body with goods;

holding the second platform in its second position; and moving the first platform between its respective first and second positions to continue loading the uppermost storage space of the vehicle body with goods.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an empty vehicle body including a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly being shown in a first configuration;

Figure 2 is a side view of an empty vehicle body including a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly being shown in a second configuration;

Figure 3 is a side view of a partially filled vehicle body including assembly, the lifting assembly being shown in the first configuration;

Figure 4 is a side view of a partially filled vehicle body including a lifting a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly being shown in a third configuration;

Figure 5 is a side view of a partially filled vehicle body including a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly being shown in the second configuration;

Figure 6 is a side view of a full vehicle body including a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly being shown in the second configuration; and

Figure 7 is a plan view of a vehicle body including a lifting assembly.

Referring to the figures, there is shown a vehicle body, indicated generally at 1, having two side walls 10, 11, a first end 12, a second end 13, a roof 14 and a floor 15 which are arranged to enclose a goods storage space, indicated generally at 16. It is to be appreciated that the first end 12 represents the front end of the vehicle body 1 and the second end 13 represents the rear end. The vehicle body has a length L which extends between the first end 12 and the second end 13. In one embodiment, the length L may be 13600 mm, although other vehicle lengths L may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

In some embodiments, a vehicle (not shown) may include such a vehicle body

1. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be an articulated vehicle in which the vehicle body 1 is connected at its first end 12 to a tractor via a permanent or semi-permanent pivot joint. In other embodiments, the vehicle may be a socalled rigid vehicle, in which the vehicle body 1 is permanently or semipermanently connected at its first end 12 to a tractor without a pivot joint.

In some embodiments, the second end 13 may define an opening which is closable by one or more doors. For example, two doors may be connected to the respective side walls 10, 11 of the vehicle body 1 via hinges. Alternatively, the door may comprise a roller shutter.

It is to be appreciated that loading of the vehicle body 1 with goods predominantly takes place through the opening at the second end 13. Unloading the vehicle body 1 of goods may also take place through the opening at the second end 13.

The vehicle body 1 may include a lifting assembly, indicated generally at 2, located at the second end 13 thereof. In some embodiments, the lifting assembly 2 is located within the goods storage space 16. This inherently means that the lifting assembly 2 is always readily available at a loading platform for loading / unloading of goods into / from the vehicle body 1.

The lifting assembly 2 may comprise a first platform 21 moveable between a first position generally level with the floor 15 (as shown in figures 1, 3 and 4) and a second position raised from its first position (as shown in figures 2, 5 and 6) and a second platform 22 substantially adjacent the first platform 21, the second platform 22 being moveable between a first position generally level with the floor 15 (as shown in figures 1 and 3) and a second position raised from its first position (as shown in figures 2, 4, 5 and 6).

In the illustrated embodiments, the combined length (designated L’ in figure 1) of the first and second platforms 21,22 is approximately 2540 mm. This is the distance from the second end 13 towards the first end 12 that is occupied by the first and second platforms 21, 22. Thus, in the illustrated embodiments, the first and second platforms 21,22 occupy a region within the goods storage space 16 which extends from the second end 13 approximately 0.19L towards the first end 12. In other embodiments, this distance may be from approximately 0.1 L up to approximately 0.3L. Having the lifting assembly 2 located in such a compact space at the second end 13 of the vehicle body 1 is advantageous in terms efficient loading and / or unloading of the vehicle. This is because the lifting assembly 2 does not occupy a significantly large volume of the vehicle body 1. Accordingly, the remainder of the vehicle body 1 (i.e. the volume not occupied by the lifting assembly 2) can be filled with goods etc. whilst the lifting assembly 2 is in use.

The lifting assembly 2 is configured to move the first and second platforms 21, 22 between their respective first and second positions together, i.e. at the same time. Advantageously, the lifting assembly 2 is also configured to move the first and second platforms 21,22 between their respective first and second positions independently of each other. For example, in some embodiments the second platform 22 may be lockable in one or both of its first and second positions, such that the first platform 21 can be moved between its respective first and second positions without having to move the second platform 22.

In some embodiments, the vehicle body 1 may comprise an intermediate deck 17 which extends generally centrally between the roof 14 and the floor 15 to substantially bisect the goods storage space 16 to form a lowermost storage space 16a and an uppermost storage space 16b.

In some embodiments, as shown in figures 2, 4, 5, and 6, when in their respective second positions the first and second platforms 21, 22 may be generally level with the intermediate deck 17.

In some embodiments, as shown in figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, the second platform 22 may provide an extension of the intermediate deck 17 when in its second position.

In some embodiments, as shown in figure 7, the first platform 21 and I or the second platform 22 may extend across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body 1 from the first side wall 10 to the second side wall 11.

In some embodiments, the second platform 22 is located between the first platform 21 and the first end 12.

The first and second platforms 21, 22 provide a generally continuous surface when both are in their respective first positions (shown in figures 1 and 3) and when both are in their respective second positions (shown in figures 2, 4, 5 and 6).

In some embodiments, the lifting assembly 2 comprises a third platform 23 located generally above the first platform 21. The third platform 23 is moveable between a first position generally level with the intermediate deck (as shown in figures 1,3 and 4) and a second position generally level with the roof 14 (as shown in figures 2, 5 and 6).

It is to be appreciated that when the second platform 22 is in its second position, the first platform 21 can provide a further extension of the intermediate deck 17 when in its second position or the third platform 23 can provide a further extension of the intermediate deck 17 when in its first position.

In some embodiments, as shown in figure 7, the third platform 23 extends across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body 1 from the first side wall 10 to the second side wall 11.

Advantageously, vehicle bodies 1 of the various embodiments discussed herein are quicker to load I unload with goods when compared to known prior art. An example of how a vehicle body 1 can be loaded will now be explained with reference to figures 1 to 6.

In figure 1 the vehicle body 1 is shown empty with the first and second platforms 21, 22 in their respective first positions. Loading of the lowermost storage space 16a with goods can take place as the goods can be transported across the first and second platforms 21, 22. In order to load goods into the uppermost storage space 16b, the goods are lifted by the lifting assembly 2 raising the first and second platforms 21, 22 together to their respective second positions (as shown in figure 2). Since the first and second platforms 21, 22 are substantially adjacent one another, they in effect provide a large surface area for ensuring that sufficient goods can be raised quickly and efficiently. The lifting assembly 2 switches between the configurations shown in figures 1 and 2 until at least the uppermost storage space 16b is partially filled with goods, as shown in figure 3.

When the uppermost storage space 16b is partially filled with goods the second platform 22 is held in its second position, for example by actuating a locking mechanism (not shown). Holding the second platform 22 in its second position in effect extends the length of the intermediate deck 17 and allows the goods loaders to continue to load both the lowermost storage space 16a and the uppermost storage space 16b by using only the first platform 21 as a lift. Since there is only a relatively small volume of the uppermost storage space 16b to load, the fact that only the first platform 21 (which clearly has a smaller surface area than the first and second platforms 21, 22 combined) is being used is offset by the fact that it is also possible to continue to load the lowermost storage space 16a too. It will be appreciated that if the first and second platforms 21, 22 were not configurable in this manner it would not be possible to load the lowermost storage space 16a and the uppermost storage space 16b concurrently.

Once goods have been loaded on top of the second platform 22 and, preferably, the lowermost storage space 16a is full, as shown in figure 5, an external lifting assembly I forklift may be utilised to completely fill the vehicle body 1 (as shown in figure 6).

The invention is beneficial in that the first and second platforms 21, 22 can in effect be used as a single platform for loading the majority of the uppermost storage space 16b. Then, when the remaining few goods are being loaded the first platform 21 can function as a lift and the second platform 22 can function as an extension of the intermediate deck 17, thereby increasing the speed in which the lowermost storage space 16a and the uppermost storage space 16b can be loaded with goods.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any 5 combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A vehicle body having two side walls, a first end, a second end, a roof and a floor which are arranged to enclose a goods storage space, the distance between the first end and the second end having a length L, the vehicle body further comprising a lifting assembly located at the second end thereof, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a first platform moveable between a first position generally level with the floor and a second position raised from its first position and a second platform located between the first platform and the first end and substantially adjacent the first platform, the second platform being moveable between a first position generally level with the floor and a second position raised from its first position, wherein the lifting assembly is configured to move the first and second platforms between their respective first and second positions independently, and wherein the first and second platforms are located within the goods storage space and occupy a region which extends from the second end no further than approximately 0.3L towards the first end.

2. A vehicle body according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate deck which extends generally centrally between the roof and the floor to substantially bisect the goods storage space to form a lowermost storage space and an uppermost storage space.

3. A vehicle body according to claim 2, wherein the first platform is generally level with the intermediate deck when in its second position.

4. A vehicle body according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second platform is generally level with the intermediate deck when in its second position.

5. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second platform provides an extension of the intermediate deck when in its second position.

6. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim, wherein the first platform and I or the second platform extend(s) across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body from the first side wall to the second side wall.

7. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second platforms provide a generally continuous surface when in their respective first positions.

8. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second platforms provide a generally continuous surface when in their respective second positions.

9. A vehicle body according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a third platform located generally above the first platform.

10. A vehicle body according to claim 9, wherein the third platform is moveable between a first position generally level with the or an intermediate deck and a second position generally level with the roof.

11. A vehicle body according to claim 10, wherein, when the second platform is in its second position, the third platform provides a further extension of the intermediate deck when in its first position.

12. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the third platform extends across substantially the entire width of the vehicle body from the first side wall to the second side wall.

13. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second platforms occupy a region which extends from the second end no further than approximately 0.25L towards the first end.

14. A vehicle body according to claim 13, wherein the first and second platforms occupy a region which extends from the second end no further than approximately 0.2L towards the first end.

15. A vehicle having a vehicle body according to any preceding claim.

16. A method of loading a vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 14 with goods, the method comprising the steps of: